ABBA
Biography
ABBA, a Swedish pop supergroup, was formed in Stockholm in 1972 by Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid "Frida" Lyngstad. The group's name is an acronym of the first letters of their first names. They became one of the most commercially successful acts in the history of popular music, topping charts worldwide from 1974 to 1982.
Formation and Breakthrough
The story of ABBA began in 1966 when Björn Ulvaeus, a member of the Hootenanny Singers, met Benny Andersson, the keyboardist for The Hep Stars, Sweden's biggest pop group at the time. They soon began writing songs together. In 1969, they met their future wives and bandmates: Agnetha Fältskog, already a successful solo artist, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, who had also established a solo career. Initially, they were known as 'Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Frida'. Their international breakthrough came in 1974 when they won the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Waterloo". This victory launched their global career, and "Waterloo" became a major hit worldwide.
Years of Superstardom
Following their Eurovision triumph, ABBA experienced a period of immense popularity. They produced a string of hit singles and albums that made them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Their major hits include "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," "Fernando," "Take a Chance on Me," "The Winner Takes It All," and "Super Trouper". The compilation album "ABBA Gold," released in 1992, became a worldwide bestseller and is the second best-selling album of all time in the UK. During their active years, the group consisted of two married couples: Agnetha and Björn, and Anni-Frid and Benny.
Hiatus and Post-ABBA Projects
The pressures of fame and their touring schedule took a toll on their personal lives, leading to the divorce of both couples. Agnetha and Björn divorced in 1979, followed by Benny and Frida in 1981. These relationship changes were reflected in their music, with later songs featuring more introspective and darker lyrics. The group took a break in 1982, which ultimately became a long-term hiatus. After the split, all members pursued solo projects. Andersson and Ulvaeus went on to write musicals, including the globally successful "Mamma Mia!", which is based on ABBA's songs. Fältskog and Lyngstad both released solo albums with varying degrees of success.
Reunion and "Voyage"
After nearly 40 years, ABBA made a historic comeback. In 2021, they announced the release of a new album, "Voyage," which was released on November 5, 2021. The album was accompanied by the announcement of a revolutionary virtual concert residency, also called "ABBA Voyage". The concerts, which began in London in May 2022, feature digital avatars, or "ABBAtars," of the group members as they looked in 1979, performing their beloved hits with a live 10-piece band.